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NEWS AND MEDIA
Albert’s story
October 18, 2024
In 2012, Albert came to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. However, even with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and prior experience, securing suitable employment was almost impossible. This forced him into...
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POLICY
Restricting Non-Disclosure Agreements in Workplace Sexual Harassment Cases Published
September 06, 2024
Submission to the Restricting Non-Disclosure Agreements in Workplace Sexual Harassment Cases Discussion Paper Click here to download the full submission. Recommendation 1: That the Victorian State Government implement the recommendations of the...
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REPORTS
Carrot or Stick
August 28, 2024
This study explores the challenges international students face as they navigate Australia’s complex migration and education systems, revealing how these systems often prioritise economic gains over the wellbeing and future prospects of...
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MEDIA
Media Release: New report exposes challenges faced by migrant workers in migration advice sector
June 26, 2024
Today, the Migrant Workers Centre launches its latest research report, Pathways and Pitfalls: Migrant Workers’ Experiences with the Migration Advice Sector.
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REPORTS
Pathways and Pitfalls
June 26, 2024
The Migrant Workers Centre is proud to announce the launch of its latest research report, Pathways and Pitfalls: Migrant Workers’ Experiences with the Migration Advice Sector. This comprehensive study sheds light on...
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POLICY
Review of the Points Test Discussion Paper
May 28, 2024
Submission to the review of the points test discussion paper Click here to download the full submission. Recommendation 1: That the Federal Government remove and grandfather the professional year, regional study, specialist education...
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POLICY
Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill
April 15, 2024
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 We fully endorse the Human Rights Law Centre’s submission and strongly urge the Committee to recommend that...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE - CHANGES TO MIGRATION ACT ARE AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD
February 07, 2024
The Migrant Workers Centre welcomes the passage of amendments to the Migration Act that introduce new protections for migrant workers and stiffer penalties for employers who seek to exploit them.
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NEWS AND MEDIA
William and Karen's story
December 13, 2023
William reached out to the Migrant Workers Centre for support. Through our industrial casework program, we were able to recover $20,000 (before tax) in compensation.
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Min's story
December 13, 2023
A group of 5 workers have recovered $118,425.05 in stolen wages with the support of the Migrant Workers Centre after the food manufacturing business they worked for closed down without warning in...
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POLICY
Closing Loopholes Bill
October 31, 2023
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 Click here to download the full submission. Summary of recommendations We endorse the recommendations of the Australian...
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POLICY
Draft Best Practice Principles and Standards for Skilled Migration Assessing Authorities
October 31, 2023
Submission to the Draft Best Practice Principles and Standards for Skilled Migration Assessing Authorities Click here to download the full submission. Summary of recommendations Recommendation 1: That the Australian Government establish a statutory...
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POLICY
Multicultural Framework Review
October 16, 2023
Submission to the Multicultural Framework Review: September 2023 Click here to download the full submission. Summary of recommendations Recommendation 1. That the Australian Government dedicate increased resourcing to co-design and deliver initiatives...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: MIGRANT WORKERS AND UNIONS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTIONS TO COUNTER SYSTEMIC EXPLOITATION
August 02, 2023
The Migrant Workers Centre, Unions NSW, the Human Rights Law Centre, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, and Migrant Justice Institute have set out the roadmap for strong and robust visa protections for...
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POLICY
Migration Amendment Bill 2023
July 26, 2023
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee: Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023 Click here to download the full submission. Summary of recommendations Recommendation 1....
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: MIGRATION REFORMS ARE A WELCOME STEP FORWARD
June 23, 2023
The Migrant Workers Centre welcomes today’s announcement that the Federal Government will introduce a range of important new visa-based protections for migrant workers who raise issues of exploitation in their workplaces.
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REPORTS
Unlocking Talent
June 22, 2023
A new MWC research report, in collaboration with Unions NSW, was created to investigate work opportunities for migrant workers. The research explored a range of topics that migrant workers experience during their...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: REINSTATE FAIR VISA PROCESSES FOR NEW ZEALANDERS IN AUSTRALIA
April 07, 2023
New policy recommendations from the MWC call for the Government to re-instate the pathway to citizenship that formerly existed between Australia and New Zealand.
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POLICY
New Zealanders and their family members in Australia
March 31, 2023
Click here to read the full report
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REPORTS
Insecure by design
March 20, 2023
A new Migrant Workers Centre report, Insecure by Design: Australia’s migration system and migrant workers’ job market experience, reveals the toll of visa discrimination on migrant workers and reiterates the indisputable link...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS MORE URGENT THAN EVER
February 28, 2023
The Migrant Workers Centre joins calls from 40 legal service providers, unions, ethnic community peak bodies, churches, and national organisations for whistle-blower protections for migrant workers who have faced exploitation and abuse...
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POLICY
A Comprehensive Review of Australia’s Migration System: Part 2
December 20, 2022
Click here to download the submission
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POLICY
A Comprehensive Review of Australia’s Migration System: Part 1
December 20, 2022
Click here to download the submission
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: UNJUSTIFIABLE VISA DELAYS KEEP LIVES IN LIMBO
September 30, 2022
30 September 2022 A new report by the Migrant Workers Centre, Waiting to Be Seen: Problems of Australia’s Visa Processing Delays shows Australia’s migration system has denied tens of thousands of people...
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REPORTS
Waiting to Be Seen
September 30, 2022
A new report by the Migrant Workers Centre, Waiting to Be Seen: Problems of Australia’s Visa Processing Delays shows Australia’s migration system has denied tens of thousands of people the stability and...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Felisia's Story
September 14, 2022
Being on a temporary visa made standing up against workplace exploitation and harassment difficult for Felisia. But joining her union empowered Felisia despite her uphill battles with an unjust visa system.
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: WE ARE PEOPLE, NOT NUMBERS. MIGRATION DISCUSSION MUST INCLUDE INCREASED MEASURES AGAINST WORKER EXPLOITATION
September 02, 2022
The Migrant Workers Centre welcomes a proposed increase in permanent migration numbers and the emerging consensus that improving pathways to permanent migration is an essential element in the nation’s economic and social...
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POLICY
Expanding the Fair Entitlement Guarantee
August 31, 2022
Submission to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations regarding the scheme of assistance established under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Regulation 2012 Click here to download the full submission SUMMARY The FEG...
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CAMPAIGNS
Fighting for Fair Visa Processing
August 05, 2022
Get involved in our campaign and help us support migrant workers fighting for fair visa processing times. Access all of the info, materials and resources you will need to stand in...
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POLICY
Temporary Migration
April 12, 2022
SUBMISSION OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS CENTRE TO THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON TEMPORARY MIGRATION Click here to download the full submission SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS A PEOPLE-CENTRED TEMPORARY MIGRATION PROGRAM Recommendation 1. The...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker Story: Kamran’s long fight for justice after a workplace injury
March 24, 2022
Kamran came to the Migrant Workers Centre for assistance with an injury in early 2021. He was suffering from the ongoing debilitating effects of a physical injury he had sustained a few years...
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CAMPAIGNS
Working for $9 a Day
March 01, 2022
All workers, regardless of where they’re from, deserve to earn a living wage and work in safe conditions. But the Migrant Workers’ Centre and Unions NSW’S latest survey of more than 1300...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Translated Content 1
February 09, 2022
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REPORTS
Lives in Limbo
February 02, 2022
A new Migrant Workers Centre survey of over 700 temporary visa holders shows the urgent need for more pathways to permanent residency. The findings, which also draw upon over 50 in depth...
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POLICY
Migration Amendment Bill 2022
January 28, 2022
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation Committee) for the inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Protecting Migrant Workers) Bill 2021 [Provisions]Click here to download the full submission....
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POLICY
Ending Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention
January 28, 2022
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration for the inquiry into the Ending Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Bill 2021 Click here to download the full submission Summary of recommendations 2.5....
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POLICY
2022 - 2023 Migration Program
December 09, 2021
SUBMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS REGARDING THE 2022-23 MIGRATION PROGRAM The Migrant Workers Centre submitted our Lives in Limbo research report to the Department of Home Affairs as part of...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: LIVES IN LIMBO - AUSTRALIA’S BROKEN TEMPORARY MIGRATION SYSTEM
November 29, 2021
A Migrant Workers Centre survey of over 700 temporary visa holders shows the urgent need for more pathways to permanent residency. The findings, which also draw upon over 50 in depth interviews,...
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MEDIA
MEDIA RELEASE: BIG STEP FORWARD FOR FARM WORKERS AS GUARANTEED MINIMUM WAGES ARE INTRODUCED INTO HORTICULTURE AWARD
November 04, 2021
Yesterday the Fair Work Commission handed down a decision to guarantee all workers will take home at least the minimum wage for hours worked.<sup>1</sup> The Commission found that there was “widespread non-compliance”...
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POLICY
Migration Amendment Bill 2021
August 16, 2021
Submission to the Department of Home Affairs in the Migration Amendment Bill 2021 Click here to download the full submission Summary of recommendations Recommendation 1. The DHA should encourage the Government to...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Abbas’ story: Racist bullying and assault by supervisor shows need for visa reform
August 11, 2021
Abbas* came to the Migrant Workers Centre for help after a physical assault by his supervisor left him hospitalised. Abbas came to Australia in 2010 from Iraq. Despite living and working here...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker Story: Jasmine’s $19,000 fight with the FEG
June 18, 2021
Jasmine moved to Australia in 2014 on a partner sponsored visa. She got a warehouse job for retail giant Riot Art and Craft, where she worked full time on a permanent contract...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker Story: ATO tries to recover JobKeeper payments from migrant workers
May 17, 2021
Last year, the Morrison government cruelly locked temporary visa holders out of JobKeeper and JobSeeker. Not only did this move leave over a million workers without support during the peak of the...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker win: Truck driver Ravi reclaims over $9,000 in stolen wages
April 07, 2021
Ravi* reclaimed $9,288.83 in stolen wages after fighting against his employer’s unfair and incorrect classification of him as an ‘independent contractor’.Ravi, a 26 year old from India, came to Australia in 2019...
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POLICY
Job Security
March 31, 2021
SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON JOB SECURITY Click here to download the full submission SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation 1. Workers who receive instructions and clock on and off at work...
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POLICY
Australia's Skilled Migration Program
March 30, 2021
SUBMISSION TO THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION ON THE INQUIRY INTO AUSTRALIA’S SKILLED MIGRATION PROGRAM Click here to download the full submission SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ACCESS TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY RECOMMENDATION 1....
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker Win: Tamil supermarket worker recovers $80,000 in stolen wages
February 17, 2021
2020 ended on a high for migrant worker Anil* who successfully clawed back $80,0000 in stolen wages. Anil’s boss had been stealing his wages for four years. Anil worked at a...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Migrant workers recover over $1,000,000 in stolen wages
December 16, 2020
Since the Migrant Workers Centre launched in 2018, we’ve supported migrant workers to collectively recover over $1,000,000. This sum includes stolen wages, unpaid superannuation and entitlements, and WorkCover claims. While this milestone...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Worker Story: Working for Victoria program a lifeline for migrants during COVID-19.
September 11, 2020
Soo, Sermet and Tiff led very different lives, but their paths crossed when they found themselves without work or any federal government support amidst a pandemic - a situation shared by hundreds...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Recycling plant workers unionise for their rights
September 11, 2020
Workers at a large recycling factory in Melbourne have achieved transformative changes at their workplace and collectively recovered over a million dollars in stolen wages. These hard fought wins, which have taken...
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POLICY
Working Holiday Maker Program
July 24, 2020
SUBMISSION TO THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION REGARDING THE INQUIRY INTO THE WORKING HOLIDAY MAKER PROGRAM Click here to download the full submission Click here to download the submission supplement SUMMARY...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Maryaan's story
March 13, 2020
Maryaan, a former anaesthetist from Iraq, talks about overcoming the barriers to finding work in Australia and the importance of mental health in workplace OH&S training. Maryaan is a health educator at...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Fabrizio's story: international students unionising against wage theft
March 13, 2020
Fabrizio Venturini, one of our Multicultural Safety Ambassadors, talks about the challenges facing a new generation of international students and his experience unionising against wage theft.When we think of migrant workers and...
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POLICY
Unlawful Underpayment of Employees' Renumeration
March 06, 2020
SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE ECONOMIC REFERENCES COMMITTEE INQUIRY ON UNLAWFUL UNDERPAYMENT OF EMPLOYEES’ REMUNERATION Click here to download the full submission Summary of recommendations: 1. Wage theft should be comprehensively defined to...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Ring's story: empowering a community from within
February 18, 2020
Workplace Occupational Health and Safety isn’t just about access to information. It’s also about community empowerment and delivering information in a culturally relevant way.Last month, Ring Mayar led the first info session...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Darren的故事：背包客討回欠薪
January 22, 2020
一個從台灣來的背包客Darren如何組織一起工作的同事，追回欠薪澳幣$12,000? Darren從開始工作的第一天就意識到他的老闆欠薪，在與一起工作的同事共同蒐集證據；採取集體行動後，他們終於追回高達澳幣$12,000的欠薪。 就如同其他數以萬計的海外青年打工族群一樣，Darren在前年持打工度假簽證入境。循著工作廣告，他在熱鬧的墨爾本市區，找到一間咖啡店的工作。如廣告中所述；全職工作加上法定最低薪資。Darren在未抵達澳洲前，就非常嚮往墨爾本的咖啡文化，而且徵才啟事看起來也非常吸引人。
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Darren's story: recovering stolen wages as a backpacker
January 21, 2020
How did Darren, a backpacker from Taiwan, organise his workplace and recover $12,000 in stolen wages? Darren knew from day one that his boss was underpaying him, but it wasn’t until he...
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Riza和Roy的故事
January 21, 2020
从台北市白领转做澳洲肉厂工人，对任何一个人来说想必都不容易。一对来自台湾的年轻夫妻就发现澳洲的移民体系和对劳动法的制度化漠视是他们成功路上的畔脚石。 2016年Riza和丈夫Roy首次登陆澳洲昆士兰州的Caboolture。作为背包客，两人信心满满地以为只要努力付出就会获得回报，然而等待他们的却是绰号 “恐怖丘” 的Caboolture镇以及当地糟糕的居住环境，日益猖獗的工资盗窃和对员工的层层盘剥。
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NEWS AND MEDIA
Riza and Roy's Story
November 26, 2019
Leaving behind white-collar work in Taiwan to take up jobs in the Australian meat industry was always going to be difficult. But one young couple found Australia’s immigration system and institutionalised disregard...
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POLICY
Wage Theft Criminalisation
October 25, 2019
SUBMISSION FROM THE MIGRANT WORKERS CENTRE ON WAGE THEFT CRIMINALISATION Click here to download the full submission Summary of recommendations: 1. Wage theft should be defined to include any underpayment, withholding, or...
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